The rules on leaving Liverpool have been confirmed as new restrictions were announced for the city region today.
From Wednesday, Merseyside will operate under a number of new restrictions as a result of being placed in a Tier Three lockdown by the government.
This means that pubs, bars, gyms, betting shops and casinos will be closed for the foreseeable future and mixing indoors with other households will be illegal.
It was reported over the weekend that travel in and out of the region could also be banned, but the government has now confirmed what the rules around travel are.
In a briefing to journalists, the government said that travel in and out of the Liverpool city region, from Wednesday, is advised against but not illegal or banned.
Liverpool is classed as an area under "Very High" alert. According to the government announcement, people should try to avoid travelling outside the "Very High" area they are in, or entering a "Very High" area, other than for things like work, education, accessing youth services, to meet caring responsibilities or if they are in transit.
People should avoid staying overnight in another part of the UK if they are resident in a "Very High" area, or avoid staying overnight in a "Very High" area if they are resident elsewhere.
In the statement, the government explained fully the restrictions involved in each alert level.
Medium Alert
The “medium” alert level - which will cover most of the country - will consist of the current national measures, which came into force on 25 September.
This includes the Rule of Six, and the closure of hospitality at 10pm.
High Alert
The “high” alert level will reflect many current local interventions, but there will now be consistency across the country.
This primarily aims to reduce household to household transmission by preventing all mixing between households or support bubbles indoors. The Rule of Six will apply in outdoor spaces, including private gardens.
Most areas which are already subject to local restrictions will automatically move into the “high” alert level.
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Very High Alert
The “very high” alert level will apply where transmission rates are causing the greatest concern, based on an assessment of all the available data and the local situation.
This includes incidence and test positivity, including amongst older and more at-risk age groups, as well as the growth rate, hospital admissions and other factors.
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In these areas, the government will set a baseline of prohibiting social mixing indoors and in private gardens, with the Rule of Six allowed in open public spaces like parks and beaches.
Pubs and bars must close, and can only remain open where they operate as if they were a restaurant - which means serving substantial meals, like a main lunchtime or evening meal.
They may only serve alcohol as part of such a meal.
People will be advised not to travel in and out of these areas.
